Consistent with its longstanding leadership and success as an advocate for sound science in judicial and regulatory proceedings, the Atlantic Legal Foundation has forged an alliance with the recently organized Center for Truth in Science in furtherance of their common missions.
Joseph Annotti, the Center’s organizing CEO and continuing Board Member, serves as a valued member of ALF’s Advisory Council. Recently, scientists engaged with the Center determined through a comprehensive analysis that impactful studies on polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—those cited most often by regulators and legislators in the United States and worldwide for policy and rulemaking—lack sufficient evidence to draw accurate conclusions about the association of PFAS with any specific disease. PFAS are a common ingredient in many products. Consequently, its findings compel serious consideration. Additional information follows:
Critical Review of Existing PFAS Research
A new critical review of existing research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found that most PFAS studies to-date include insufficient data to draw accurate conclusions about the association of PFAS with any specific disease. A central recommendation from the authors is the need for additional specific research to properly calculate human-relevant dose to further link associations with human risk assessment and help set tolerable daily intake. The critical review is featured in the latest issue of Environmental Research, a peer-reviewed environmental science and environmental health journal, and was performed by the Center of Environmental Food and Toxicological Technology at the University of
Rovira i Virgili in Spain.
“This scientific review performs a meticulous analysis of what is known and unknown surrounding PFAS chemicals,” said. “It is my hope that this review provides a framework for researchers going forward and for how we, as a scientific community, can perform the most useful analysis of a compound’s effects on the human body.”
— Joseph Annotti
BACKGROUND
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many others. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s, and are found in more than 4,700 products including lifesaving tools for first responders, and a variety of household and consumer goods.
WHY IT MATTERS
- The findings come at a critical time, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moves to implement its PFAS Roadmap and states take PFAS regulation into their own hands.
- Rigorous, sound scientific studies must precede any expansive regulatory action on PFAS. This will lead to more fair and consistent policies that can help protect first responders and consumers and that allow innovation to happen, without raising unnecessary alarms.
- The findings reported in the paper get the global community closer to the conclusive science that is needed to make informed and responsible decisions. And the authors’ recommendations provide a foundation for better decision making.
- This work will help individuals, families and health professionals to have more peace of mind.
- This review presents a clear road map and good guidance that can help industry to reduce their exposure to litigation.
- Consumers, especially parents, can have their concerns eased that past exposures have not yet been proven as harmful as some media reports have stated.
Read more about the study here.
